A study at the University of Exeter found that grey squirrels learn more quickly when rewarded for recognizing a different pot, suggesting they prioritize gathering and storing nuts. The research also shows that squirrels are primed to recognize other squirrels as potential food thieves.
Fox Chase researchers found that DLX5 promotes cancer by activating the expression of MYC, a potent factor in numerous cancers. The discovery suggests that DLX5 could be an ideal target for future anti-cancer drugs.
Researchers found that freshwater fish like largemouth bass, which feed primarily on fish, have remained relatively unchanged over time. Once they evolved the optimal size and shape for catching fish, natural selection kept them in an evolutionary holding pattern.
A study by Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian found that patient-specific cancer vaccines derived from patients' own cells resulted in impressive long-term survival rates. The vaccine was well-tolerated, and eight patients experienced remarkable progression-free survival despite having widely metastatic disease.
Researchers found that high levels of calcium in coronary arteries can predict severe cardiac events, including fatal heart attacks. The study suggests combining calcium scoring with other imaging tests can help identify patients at highest risk.
Innovotech's bioFILM PA test helps doctors select effective antibiotic treatment for serious, chronic infections. The test has shown positive results in selecting proper antibiotic treatment for patients with Cystic Fibrosis and other chronic infections.
A team of scientists, including those from the University of Toronto, identified two genes for cataloging the world's plants. DNA barcoding allows rapid classification using a short genetic marker in an organism's DNA.
Researchers compared e-nose sensors with those of the common house fly, finding that fly receptors outperformed MOx sensors in terms of independence and specificity. The findings will help improve the design of electronic noses for various applications.
The NHLBI has stopped a clinical trial testing sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension in adults with sickle cell disease due to increased risk of severe pain crises and hospitalization. The study found that participants taking sildenafil were more likely to experience serious medical problems compared to those on placebo.
Research found that maternal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles affects gene expression related to the central nervous system in developing mice. This may have implications for diseases such as autistic disorder, epilepsy, and learning disorders, as well as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease.
A new study by UCLA scientists reveals that mammals and many bird species have exceptional rates of success, while crocodiles and the tuatara have much lower species richness. The research analyzed DNA sequences and fossils from 47 major vertebrate groups to calculate which animal lineages have exceptional rates of success.
Researchers created a genetic linkage map for the saltwater crocodile, facilitating genome scans to identify genes affecting complex traits. The map provides a scaffold for genome sequence assembly and will aid in understanding reptilian molecular evolution.
The discovery of Suminia getmanovi, a small plant-eating synapsid, provides evidence that vertebrates took to trees early in Earth's evolution. The tree-climbing lifestyle offers access to new food resources and protection from ground-dwelling predators.
Researchers developed a computer game prototype called FunSAT to harness humans' abilities in strategizing, visualizing, and understanding complex systems. The game helps integrate circuit designers select and arrange transistors and their connections on silicon microchips.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a novel treatment for children with high-risk leukemia, leveraging a similar mutation linked to Down syndrome and polycythemia vera in adults. The JAK2 inhibitor offers promise as an alternative to chemotherapy, potentially reducing toxicity costs.
Researchers from Université de Montréal and McGill University have engineered an enzyme that resists harmful agents like methotrexate, a breakthrough in treating genetic diseases. The study's discovery provides new avenues for therapies to combat conditions like leukemia.
A team of scientists developed a computer model that predicts cancer recurrence in an individual based on how their tumor changes size in response to the first rounds of radiation therapy. The study found that tumors with higher resistance to radiotherapy had a lower chance of reappearing years later.
A new scientific discussion paper highlights the profound impact of human activity on the world's oceans, with carbon emissions affecting marine biological processes and threatening food security. The study warns that rates of physical change in the oceans are unprecedented and may lead to major shifts in marine ecosystems.
In the Caribbean Sea, environmental changes led to a shift from clonal to sexual reproduction among cupuladriid bryozoans. This shift enabled species to survive by becoming more robust against fragmentation, while those that failed to adapt went extinct.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Technical University of Eindhoven have made a breakthrough in creating nanoscale lasers, which can improve computer performance and speed up Internet access. The new design uses a combination of semiconductors and metals to confine light and achieve a laser with the smallest thickness ever pr...
Researchers created airway spheres using animal and human cells, providing a new model to study dynamic processes in lung diseases. The 3-D spheres lined with ciliary and secretory cells can be used to investigate mechanisms underlying cancer and chronic asthma.
A study analyzing rare genetic disorders suggests that maternal and paternal genes continue to interact well into childhood, potentially influencing the pace of growth and sexual maturity. This ongoing interplay may be responsible for humanity's unusual extended childhood and unique life history patterns.
A landmark study reveals a worsening picture of biodiversity loss in Oceania, with habitat destruction and invasive species posing major threats. The report calls for urgent government action to address the extinction crisis, including increased protected areas and better ecosystem management of fisheries.
A new study uses mathematical models to analyze the change in concentrations of biological entities and found that quantitative PTEN protein expression is a key determinant of who will be resistant or sensitive to Herceptin. The absence of PTEN was more predictive than standard multivariate analysis.
A new comprehensive health care database, DARTNet, aims to advance medical research and improve patient care by facilitating secure data sharing among clinicians and organizations. The database, part of a national health data network, has the potential to transform the quality of healthcare by enabling high-quality observational studies.
A new urine test can diagnose Chlamydia in men within an hour, reducing the risk of transmission and complications. The test is more accurate than existing methods and has received regulatory approval.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that California newspapers closer to the Mexican border tend to report a more negative slant on immigration in general news reporting and opinion pieces. Corporate-owned newspapers are more likely to adopt this approach, prioritizing profits over providing diverse views.
Research predicts a 78% increase in forest destruction in Pacific Northwest and 175% in Rocky Mountains due to rising temperatures. The study also forecasts a 40% rise in tiny soot particles in western US air, posing serious health concerns.
A growing number of British academics claim that EU regulations are hindering their ability to conduct clinical research, with some facing delays of over 2 years due to excessive paperwork. Researchers argue that the current system requires lengthy protocols and multiple forms, leading to administrative burdens.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a novel method for creating high-tech armored foams using an 'ice-templating' process. This approach enables the creation of structured foams with promising results as low-power gas sensors, which can operate at room temperature.
A University of Iowa study found that kids who were active at age 5 had less body fat by ages 8 and 11. Even small increases in physical activity, such as an extra 10 minutes per day, can make a difference in protecting against excessive fat gains.
The GOES-14 satellite has provided its first visible full disk image of Earth, showcasing little activity in the Atlantic Ocean and two tropical waves in the East Pacific. The satellite's Imager instrument is taking high-resolution images at a 1 km resolution from an altitude of 36,000 km above Earth's surface.
Scientists predict a significant rise in wildfires across the western United States due to climate warming, leading to decreased air quality and negative impacts on human health. The predicted area burned by wildfires could increase by 50% by the 2050s, with the greatest increases occurring in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains.
The University of Rhode Island has been awarded a $13 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop vaccines for emerging infectious diseases. The grant will fund research on immunome-derived vaccines, which have the potential to be safer and more effective than traditional vaccines.
Scientists have created a weakened strain of the malaria parasite that will be used as a live vaccine against the disease. The vaccine, developed in collaboration with researchers from the US, Japan and Canada, will be trialled in humans from early next year to provide protection against deadly malaria.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found a higher level of common household pesticides in the urine of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of childhood cancer. The study suggests an association between pesticide exposure and development of childhood ALL, but researchers caution that it does not pro...
This special issue of DNA and Cell Biology delves into the complexities of symbiosis, revealing how microorganisms adapt to changing environments and host responses. The issue highlights various studies on bacterial interactions with their hosts, exploring mechanisms of adaptation and functional plasticity in constrained mutualisms.
A team of researchers at the University of Chicago has designed a computer program that uses artificial intelligence to analyze ultrasound images and predict whether a woman's breast cancer has metastasized. The pilot study, which analyzed 50 women with suspected breast cancer, found that the AI tool accurately identified 20 cases of m...
A large meta-analysis published in BMC Medicine shows that smokeless tobacco products do not increase cancer risk. The study found a significant reduction in cancer deaths among smokers who switched to smokeless tobacco.
A study by the University of Manchester found that homicides committed by mentally ill individuals rose significantly between 1997 and 2005, with a notable increase in schizophrenia-related homicides. The report also shows a decrease in suicides among mental health patients and in-patients.
The NRL's Large Area Telescope has made significant discoveries about cosmic rays and high-energy particles. The telescope detected an excess of electrons striking its surface, leading scientists to suggest that a nearby pulsar could be the source sending these particles towards Earth.
Researchers have found similarities between brain activity during lucid dreaming and psychosis, suggesting dream therapy could be useful in treating psychiatric conditions. Dissociation, a state of losing conscious control, is common in both lucid dreaming and certain psychiatric disorders.
Researchers have identified MEK4 as a key player in promoting cell invasion in prostate cancer. Genistein, a dietary compound, inhibits MEK4 kinase activity, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for prostate cancer treatment.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has reclassified sunbeds and UV radiation as Group 1 carcinogens, increasing the risk of skin melanoma by 75% among young users. The IARC also found a positive association between UV-emitting tanning devices and ocular melanoma.
Researchers discover that mitochondrial diseases increase susceptibility to bacterial infection, particularly with pneumonia-causing bacteria like Legionella. The stress-signal associated with metabolic abnormalities encourages the growth and reproduction of these bacteria.
A team of Queen's scientists will train thousands of people in Eastern India on a novel chemical-free arsenic removal method over the next three years. The program aims to empower local communities to manage natural resources and address deeply entrenched arsenic contamination of groundwater.
A study found that human populations began to expand in size in Africa around 40,000 years ago, supporting the hypothesis that population growth played a significant role in the evolution of human cultures. The research used genetic evidence and computational approaches to simulate the evolution of genetic lineages over time.
A study published by the American Heart Association found that the rapid dissemination of data on new medical information led to a significant shift in clinical practice for drug-eluting stents. The use of these stents decreased from 90% to 58% within two years after the release of the studies.
A study by Ben-Gurion U. researchers found that approximately 16% of public health care workers will not report for work in a pandemic flu emergency, regardless of severity. Belief in the importance of one's work is strongly associated with willingness to report.
Scientists at University of Illinois successfully convert spermatogonial stem cells into prostate, skin and uterus epithelium using mesenchyme interaction. The approach may provide an alternative to embryonic stem cell use.
An international team of scientists has discovered an extinct rodent species, Eomyops noeliae, based on fossil tooth remains found in Alborache, Valencia. The new species provides valuable evolutionary and paleoenvironmental information related to this rodent.
A new study by psychologists at the University at Buffalo finds that individuals' stories about national trauma are linked to their emotional distress. The researchers found that those who described traumatic events with a sense of closure and redemption had lower levels of distress and higher well-being.
Eleven AFOSR-funded researchers have been named PECASE award winners for their innovative research and community service. They will each receive $200,000 annually over five years to pursue further research in their fields.
The HealthGrades study found that bariatric surgery patients at five-star hospitals have a significantly lower risk of complications and shorter hospital stays compared to those at poorly rated hospitals. Higher-volume programs also showed better outcomes.